Harry Reid: “I rise today to attempt to put some transparence on what is going on around here. This summer, the Republicans very…”

“I rise today to attempt to put some transparence on what is going on around here. This summer, the Republicans very successfully convinced the American people that their party was for estate tax relief and marriage penalty relief and that the Democrats were not. Well, my friends, that is simply not the case. The Democrats are for eliminating the estate tax for small businesses and family farms valued at $8 million and for all other estates worth $4 million. And, Mr. President, it is the Democratic plan for marriage penalty relief that completely eliminates the marriage penalty found in 65 provisions in the tax code. So, isn't it a bit frightening that the Republicans have so successfully twisted the debate so as to mislead the American people into thinking that they are actually the party supportive of tax cuts. Reality is, however, that they are the party of political rhetoric and political maneuvering. If the Republicans really wanted to give the American people estate tax relief and marriage penalty relief, they could have--they had many, many opportunities for sending the President real relief. Instead of giving the American people empty rhetoric--we could be sitting here today with elimination of the estate tax and marriage penalty tax relief for virtually all Americans. Now, why do I bring all this up. Because it is happening over and over again.…”